The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-27
PRICE $3.50 A YEAR


the Levirate, it extended to the wes- !
tern counties. This, however, did
not gain much foothold among the
Hebrews. Polygnia was simply po..
lygamy reversed. According to it
the woman was the head of the house,
ard might have as many legal hus-
bands at one time as she pleased.
Her children bore her name, and re-
cognized her as head of the house.
Some of the customs attending
Hebraic marriage were peculiar. Z
The bridegroom dressed himself in
the most gorgeous style he could
command. He next perfumed him
self with frankincense and myrlh.
Then he went forth covered With gar
lands, or, if he we're rich, he would
wear circlet of gold and ride gay
ly caparisoned horse. He was at
tended to the brides house By his
groomsmen, musicians, singers and y
torch bearers. The marriage was
always celebrated at night, and the
bridesmaids were provided with
lamps to meet the bridegroom when
he came. On his arrival, he found
the bride, bridesmaids and company
awaiting him. AS soon as the actual
ceremony was over, the entire party
returned to the bridegFoom's house
with great rejoicing. When they
reached the house, they partook of
the wedding feast. The festivities
usually lasted during fourteen days.
The groom not only furnished the
feast, but the robes of those who
took part in the ceremony.
Pioneer marriages in this country,
not a century ago, had some resem
blance to Hebrew wedding. In
those days the marriage was the
cause of great excitement, and the
whole neigbborhood was usually in-z
vited. AS the houses of the bride
and groom were generally far apart,
the groom started early in the morn
ing on horse as highly caparisoned
as the times would allow. He was
attended by his groomsmen. The
marriage generally took place before
noon to enable the whole party to
return to the groom's home before
dark. The home journey was not
always without incident. If any per-
sons were not invited to attend they
were not at all backward about fell.
ing trees in the road, piling up all
kinds of hinderances and firing off
guns to scare the horses. Severe in.
juries were thus frequently caused,
but bravely borne. When the party
were within few miles Of the house
bottle race was arranged. Two
persons were chosen for this danger
Gus ride. The most impossible road
was selected, and the riders started
for the house. Pell nell they went,
over all kinds of obstacles, and when
the fortunate one reached the house.
he was handed the much priced blsck
betty, as the whiskey bottle was then
called He then returned to the par
ty, and, after giving each Of the.
groomsmen and even the hridemaids
a drink, be put the bottle in his jack
ct for future reference. When the
house was reached feast was ready,
for the party, who were usually hum,
grv after the long ride. The festiv-.
tiles were kept up all night, till broad
daylight, when the feast ended.
The ring which is now so common
ly used at marriage ceremonies was
originally, in England, made of iron
, adorned with adamant.. Being hard,
it was supposed to signify the du-
rance and perpetuity of the contract.
The emf inent Swainburn speaks
about this ring. "Howbeit," he said,
''it skilleth not at this day OF what
metal the ring may be made of the
form of it being round and without
end doth import that their love
should circulate and flow continually.
The finger on which the ring is to be
worn is the fourth fbger Of the left
hand, next unto the little finger, be.
cause there was supposed a vein of
blood to pass from thence unto the
heart"